PULASKI COUNTY, Mo. (Feb. 8, 2010) — When snow hit Pulaski County last week, schools closed throughout the county but Fort Leonard Wood remained open or was among the last organizations to send personnel home early. However, post personnel decided at 3:40 a.m. today to announce a two-hour reporting delay despite no schools in the county closing their doors.

The reporting delay applies only to non-mission-essential personnel; a liberal leave policy is also in effect. Those who have hospital or doctor appointments prior to 9:30 a.m. at General Leonard Wood Army Community Hospital will have their appointments cancelled and rescheduled.

According to post personnel, the reporting delay is due to expected inclement weather rather than current problems. Most road conditions are “green,” which means motorists should experience no travel problems. That includes all roads in the cantonment and housing areas, as well as Fort Leonard Wood Route 1 south of Forney Field, the East Gate to Highway J, and the West Gate to Polla Road and Waynesville.

However, some roads are in “amber” condition, which means motorists need to slow to at least 10 mph below posted speeds to maintain traction and a safe stopping distance, due to conditions considered “difficult to hazardous.” That includes the primary, secondary and unimproved range roads, Forney Field, and the ranges themselves. TMP Troop Transport and TSB Ammunition Delivery are also in amber condition.

The only roads currently in “red” condition are Fort Leonard Wood Route 20 and certain training areas for which those affected should contact range control for further information.

Pulaski County is currently under a winter weather advisory issued by the National Weather Service office in Springfield with 1 to 2 inches of snow expected today and another 1 to 2 inches expected tonight before the snow ends. High temperature are expected to reach 32 degrees today with wind chills as low as 22 degrees due to an east wind between 5 and 7 mph. Temperatures tonight will dip as low as 13 degrees with wind chills down to 2 degrees due to a north wind between 5 and 13 mph with gusts as high as 18 mph.